The appointment by royal decree comes ahead of a deadline for US President Joe Biden’s administration to weigh in on whether Prince Mohammed qualifies for immunity from lawsuits filed in American courts.
The 37-year-old de facto ruler of the world’s biggest crude exporter has been targeted in multiple such lawsuits in recent years, notably over the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate, which temporarily turned him into a pariah in the West.
His lawyers have argued in filings that he “sits at the apex of Saudi Arabia’s government” and thus qualifies for legal immunity.
Human rights activists and government critics immediately speculated that making Prince Mohammed prime minister was a bald-faced attempt to strengthen the immunity claim and skirt legal exposure.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 02, 2022-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 02, 2022-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Religion trumps caste in Modi's pan-Hindu unity appeal
Voters born at the bottom of the Hindu faith's rigid caste system will determine whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to power in June.
S'pore retailers feel the pinch as more people are spending overseas on cheaper buys
A stronger Singdollar, pricier goods and services, and the resumption of travel plans post-pandemic have contributed to a growing number of locals preferring to spend more overseas.
The little town that could: How eco-activists said 'no' to smelting plant in San Juan
New book recounts how ordinary folk banded together to protect their town in 1977.
Those who scoffed at deepening Sino-Russian ties will pay the price
The 'no limits' partnership has been beneficial to Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
Decline in Singapore exports slows with 9.3% drop in April
Analysts say electronics rebound lends hope shipments will improve in latter half of 2024
Reddit forges pact with OpenAI to bring content to ChatGPT
Reddit has forged a partnership with OpenAI that will bring its content to the chatbot ChatGPT and other products, while also helping the social media firm add new artificial intelligence (AI) features to its forums.
Investors like Temasek might get money back from FTX
After assets are sold, customers and other creditors to be paid first before investors
Malaysia's GDP growth surprises as recovery accelerates
Malaysia's economy expanded faster than initially estimated in the first quarter, driven by private spending and a rebound in exports.
Sluggish retail sales as Beijing reports uneven recovery
BEIJING China's retail sales grew at the slowest pace since 2022 while industrial production accelerated, highlighting the unbalanced recovery of the world's second-largest economy.
Man in police chase charged with dangerous driving, possession of weapon
A 22-year-old man who was arrested earlier this week after allegedly attempting to flee from the police and having a samurai sword in his car, was charged in a district court on May 17.